Imam Khamenei's positions on the Palestinian cause, which are in the same direction as the Islamic Republic's ideological and political stance on this matter, can be briefly discussed within four themes:
1. Inviting the Islamic Ummah to understand the importance of the Palestinian cause
One of the main strategies of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution in this arena is frequent reminding the importance of the matter of Palestine. Underlining the fundamental status of Palestine on one hand and the necessity that the Islamic ummah does not ignore the cause and stays vigilant in the face of "the conspiracy to forget Palestine" on the other hand, represent the main pivots that the Leader of the Islamic Revolution has always stressed: "The matter of Palestine is at the heart of all international challenges that the Islamic Ummah faces while fighting against the Front of Arrogance." Apr 4, 2018
"Global Arrogance – headed by America – wants to keep this region busy with itself so that the Zionist regime can breathe easily. They want to consign the issue of Palestine to oblivion. They want to deny the existence of a geographical entity and a nation. Palestine is not a fabricated country that has come into being today. Palestine has a thousand-year history. The people of Palestine are a nation. They own a land and they own a geographical area. However, the Arrogance wants to deny all these facts. It wants to deny the people of Palestine[...] The issue of Palestine is the pivotal issue for the world of Islam. The issue of Palestine is an issue that no country should forget. No Islamic country and no country that has a human conscience should forget that this is a pivotal and fundamental issue." Jul 6, 2016
2. Exposing the plots and plans of the enemy
The region of West Asia is undertaking fundamental changes in the present time. The defeat of the takfiri terrorists in Iraq and Syria, on one hand, and new plans of the U.S. and the Zionist Regime, on the other hand, have formed important events in the region. Among the topics on which Ayatollah Khamenei took unequivocal stances was the question of the Palestinian capital. The United States moved their embassy from Tel Aviv to the occupied Al-Quds based on a plot in order to recognize Al-Quds as the capital of the illegitimate Zionist Regime. This move received a strong response from Ayatollah Khamenei: "When they claim that they want to declare al-Quds as the capital of the Zionist regime, this is a sign of their desperation and incapability. Their hands are tied on the issue of Palestine. Without a doubt, by doing so, they will receive a harsher blow and the world of Islam will stand up against them." Dec 6, 2017
"This is Palestine, and Quds is undoubtedly its capital. This fundamental thought and fact can by no means be disrupted. Furthermore, the recent move by U.S. officials—the U.S. officials do such things, too, however the man who rules over the U.S. today behaves a little more blatantly, but other U.S. officials would carry out the same method because they are no different from this new person in office who has taken unjust measures against Jerusalem (Quds)--is an approach that, certainly, will not advance: they will fail at doing what they have set out to do." Jan 16, 2018
Another key point in the enemy's plan—which received special attention from the Leader of the Revolution—was the so-called ‘Deal of the Century’: "The enemy has focused on the world of Islam[...]the issue of Palestine and the satanic and malicious policy that the US has adopted on Palestine. They have referred to it as ‘the deal of the century’[...] The delusions that they have – they think that they can usurp Bayt-ul Muqaddas and they say that the top, the bottom and the depth of the city, all its areas ranging from the east to the west, should be in the hands of the Jews – is a load of nonsense. This will not happen." Jul 16, 2018
3. Proposing a logical solution to the issue
Another pivot that is clearly addressed in Ayatollah Khamenei’s statements and stances regarding the Palestinian cause is the solution to this historically agonizing matter. He has proposed a public referendum wherein the Palestinian people's votes would be taken as the solution to this issue: "We have said that today, democracy and reference to public votes is a modern and advanced method which is approved by the entire world. Very well, in order to choose the government of the historic country of Palestine, you should refer to the public votes of the people of Palestine. You should hold a referendum.
This has been recorded in the UN, a few years ago, as the opinion and viewpoint of the Islamic Republic. This is our opinion: those who are really Palestinian for example, those who have been Palestinian since at least 80, 100 years ago: there are Muslims, Jews and Christians in Palestine and they are all Palestinians should be asked to give their opinions wherever they are whether those in the occupied lands, entire Palestine, or those who live outside Palestine. Every government that they choose for Palestine is accepted. Whatever they want is accepted." Jun 10, 2018
Since the nature of the Zionist Regime and its western supporters is based on invasion and domination, Ayatollah Khamenei has continuously emphasized on resistance and fighting until attainment of the ultimate goal, as a basic and essential method: " It is not the case that if we do not display power in the face of the Zionists, they will tolerate and show mercy to people and observe their rights. This is not the case at all. The only cure that exists before the Zionist regime is annihilated is that the Palestinians manage to act in a powerful way." Jul 23, 2014
In the view of Ayatollah Khamenei, today fighting against Israel equals fighting against the front of Arrogance and the arrogants' domination: "Today, fighting against the Zionist regime is fighting against arrogance and the system of domination. As you see, when you speak against the Zionist regime, American officials and politicians feel enmity and hostility against you. They feel that you have delivered a blow to them and this is the truth of the matter." Jun 21, 2017
Therefore, negotiating with the Zionist Regime is a betrayal: " Today, the return to dignity and authority of the Islamic Ummah relies upon resistance against the Front of Arrogance and its vicious plots;[...] Moving towards negotiations with the cunning, usurper, and untruthful regime is an irreversible mistake that would delay the victory of the Palestinian nation; and it will bring about nothing other than detriment for the oppressed nation[...] The Betrayal of some Arab leaders, which is gradually revealing itself, pursues the same goal [as delaying the victory of the Palestinian nation]. The only cure is strengthening the resistance within the Muslim World, reinforcing the fight against the usurper Zionist regime and its allies." Apr 4, 2018
4. The Palestinian Cause Perspective
One of the strong points in the recent statements and stances of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution concerning the matter of Palestine is the promise of the liberation of Palestinian land from the ferocity of the usurpers and definite obliteration of the Zionist Regime. Ayatollah Khamenei has referred to the elimination of the Zionist regime on various occasions:"The Zionist regime will not survive. All historical experiences, certainly, dictate and convey this message. The Zionist regime has fundamental problems[...] The Zionist regime's biggest problem stems from its lack of legitimacy: the Zionist regime is illegitimate; the formation of this regime is based on a lie[...]The Zionist regime's foundations in the region are shaky, unstable, and faulty: this is not something wherein the key to solving matters are in the hands of other government officials[...]The Zionist regime's lack of legitimacy has been carved into the hearts of the Islamic Ummah and this is not erasable. They will not be able to solve this problem with the efforts of the White House and by transferring the US embassy to Quds and other such actions. This problem is unsolvable. And without doubt, by Allah's favour and with the determination of Muslim nations, this regime – which has been created on the basis of falsehood – will be completely destroyed." Jun 15, 2018
In the statements of Ayatollah Khamenei, the bright outlook for the victory and triumph of the Palestinians and the liberation of Palestine and Al-Quds are openly highlighted more than ever before: "The issue of Palestine will not be consigned to oblivion and the Holy City of Bait-ul Muqaddas will continue to be the capital of Palestine. It will remain the first qiblah for Muslims[...] By Allah’s favour and grace, the Islamic Ummah and the Muslim people of Palestine will definitely defeat their enemies and they will see a day when the fake Zionist regime will be uprooted from the land of Palestine." Jul 16, 2018
"The enemy will definitely not be able to achieve the desired result on the issue of Palestine and Palestine will be liberated. There is no doubt that Palestine will be liberated. This might happen sooner or later, but it will definitely happen and the Islamic Ummah's fight for the liberation of Palestine will produce results, God willing." Dec 6, 2017
"The US, or powers greater or smaller than the US and its cohorts, cannot do a single thing against the divine truth and revelations about Palestine." May 17, 2018
